The Big Boys at Comdex

Steve Jobs, Scott McNealy and Bill Gates were in a special conference at Comdex. They sat around a huge conference table watching a presentation along with 30 or so other people.

Out of thin air, a telephone rang, interrupting the presentation. Looked around for whose cell phone was going off, everyone's eyes were directed at Scott McNealy, who was holding his tie and speaking into it. He was obviously carrying on a business conference. When he was finished, he looked up at the group and apologized. "Pardon me. That's just a little new technology we're working on at Sun. It's just in the preliminary stages."

The lecturer continued. Fifteen minutes later, another phone rang. Everyone looked at McNealy, but it wasn't him. This time, Steve Jobs was had his hand to his ear and seemed to be answering an invisible telephone. He was obviously carrying on a business conference. When he was finished, he looked up at the group and apologized. "Don't mind me," he said, "That's just a little telephone implant we're working on at Apple. The speaker is implanted in my ear and the receiver is just inside my cheek. It's compatible with all Macintosh operating systems. Still in the testing phases, though, so don't mind it."

The group turned again to the presentation, which continued for another half hour or so. Then, a phone rang again, and the participants again waited to see who was interrupting their conference. Momentarily, Bill Gates began his characteristic rocking back and forth in his chair. Then he lifted himself a bit and let out a very large fart. He looked inquiringly at the group. "Does anyone have a piece of paper? I have a fax coming in."